photosensitive devics x



"Eliten-id pr. I7,

A .rno'ronsvxos Charles A; Etsen'. Fomt mils, Pa., mig-nor to' waarnemen murs a meinem; com donneur-pommeau liennnylvanla Anneau@ in. im eeddQNv- 456583 f s M (Cl. 117-351) My invention to photo-sensitive devicesv and has particular relation to photo-sensitive .e

apparatus whereby the properties of fluids are 4observed..

It is an object o! my invention. to provide photo-sensitive apparatus for observing the properties o! fluids. 'v It is a specific object o! my invention to provide'apparatus for detecting minute variations 1D in the height' or a liquid; i

Another speciiic object of my invention is to provide apparatus for detecting minute variations in uid pressure. Au additcnal 'specific object o! my invention is to provide apparatus for der tecting small variations in the density of a fluid.

A further object ci my invention is to provide apparatus for observing the action oi' a manometric liquid at a station remote from the liquid.

An ancillary object of my invention is to provide apparatus for measuring the interfacial ten- ,sion between a liquid and the surfaces of the receptacle in which the liquid is disposed.

Still anotherobject oi my invention is to provide apparatus for indicating that aliquid has nud beyond a certain position in a manometrlc A still further object of my invention is to pro#- vide, tor equipment wherein a gas is being, ma- 3o nipulated, apparatus for indicating that the pressure oi the 'gas difiere from a certain predetermined value. j

More precisely stated, it is an object o! my invention to provide 'apparatus for the electro- 35 mechanical indication ofthe state of a fluid `with respect to its predetermined properties.

I According to my invention, I provide manometric apparatus equipped with a photo-sensitive device responsive to theconditlon of the vmanoo metric liquid. As manometers are ordinarily used under a variety oi conditions. a certain prescribed arrangement oi the operating elements thereof. is'not always possible. 'Consequently, I.

have provided apparatus that shall be applicable 5' to diiierent contingenciesns they arise.

I have. furthermore. provided a photo-sensitive uuid-density balance similar, in its general malre j up and in the general vprinciples of its operation,

to the manometric apparatus. 5o

istie of my invention are set forth with particu larlty in the appended claims. I'he invention itseli'. however. both as to its organization and its method o! operation.. together with additional colecta and advantages thereof, wm bes; be

ever. i! the necessity therefor arises. itis possible The novel features that I consider 'characterthat are not absorbed are transmitted :through imderstood Iroin the -iollowing description of speciilc embodiments, when 'read in connection with the accompanying drawing. in which Figure 1 is a schematic drawing oi a modulcation oi. my invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing showing a second modification o! my invention, l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, in section, showin a portion o! the capillary tube of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2,-with the level oi the manometric column below the top o! the tube.

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged View' section Showing.

a portion of' the capiliarytube oi the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, with the level ci the manometric column above -the attenuated portion of the manometric tube,

Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showingl the ar. rangement ot theprincipal elements of the ap paratus for a system wherein my inventionkisl specifically applied to an opaque liquid, such as mercury.' j w Fig. 6 is a view, in section, showing lthe manometric .tubeoi a mo'dincation ot my invention,

Fig. 'I is a schematic drawing showing a third modmcation of my invention, and

Fig. 8 is a schematic drawing showing apparatus Vwhereby small diner-'ences inthe height of a' manometric column may be measured.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises l. transparent tube 1 having a manometric liquid 3, disposed therein. that responds to external conditions by changing its position valong one dimension oi the tube 1. The. total length oi' tube l. along which the liquid varies, is 4illumi- 'noted by the light, emanating from an attenuat- 90 ed filamentY 5, that is c olllmated vby a lens 7 dismanometric liquid 3 be virtually opaque. How; i

to use a colorless or translucent liquid. In either lcase. the light from the source 5 is either partiallyl or completely absorbed by the column of the liquid v3 that extends into the illuminated section of the tube-1. Moreover, if the rays from the source 5 are directed obliquely to the tube the liquid then totally reiiects and reiracts the rays out oi their original path.

In any case. the portion of the light radiations 105 the tube 1.,;converaed by a second lens 9 situated -Y in the path of the light pencil. and ixnpinged upon a photolectric cell 11 that is ndJacent to the lens.

. The output of the 4photoiieell 11 feeds' into an 110 955,315' i .z l

- 10 variation of the position of the indicating liquid. In such case, an, ordinary thermionic ampliiler I 50 necessary trigger action. A device of this nature 5 Thetype of amplifying apparatus 13 that is l used in connection with the photocell depends on the particular equipment wherein the photosensitive manometer. .is In certain equipment, itis desirable to know the gradual rmuy be usedwith the photo-cell. It an audible signal is desired, an ihterrupter may be disposedatanypositioninthebeaml l5 light to yield the necessary pulsations 'in the photo-cell current. However. under vordinary circumstances, the, commercial 60-cycle power produces -the necessary uctuations in the intensityof the light source v5.

In certain other equipment. it is essential that the condition of the materiel. of which the manometer indicates the properties, shell be kept between certain predetermined limits. An example of such apparatus is found'in the production of chlorine by the electrolytic process. To prevent the leakage of chlorinefromthe anode to the cathode compartment or from the cells themselves, it is necessary that the pres- Y sure of the gas in the manifold be kept below a predetermined value. VIn apparatus of this nature, constructed and operated according to the teachings ot the prior art. it has been customary t' for an operator to watch a :nanometer disposed in the manifold und to regulatethe pressure of 4:its the ges'l in accordance with the reading ot the menometer.

In apparatus constructed according to my in .yention, en electrofmagnetic trigger device is "provided for equipment of the nature described 4o hereinabove. Where it is possible to use a menometer of the typeshown in Fig. 1. an amplifier 13. is used, of which the constants are so related that the 'illumination on the photo-ccll 11 eiects the release of a comparatively heavy .current when theliquid 3 in the tube 1 rises or drops to a certain point. In practice. a relay device. such as a grid-glow tube. is often clis- 'posed 1n thecimuit of the .photo-ceu or or. im

amplifier associated therewith to producev the is included in the electrical circuit of a modifica.- tion of my invention and will be described here` luefter. f

Manometric apparatus of the type shown in lge. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is providedlfor equipment wherein the ordinary-manometric tube. such as is slmwn ln Fig. 1. cannot be applied.

The apparatus shown in these drawings comprlsess; U-shepe tube N havinganurmleof comparatively small internal cross-sectional area. I have ioundithnt, for most purposes, it is desirable that the arm 19 shell have c. capillary bore. In general, it is desirable that the cross-sectional crea. of the arm so small that the manomemc liquid a dimmed therein 'man have a meniscus of appreciable curvature.

The capillary arm 19 communicates with a. seconderm 21 of wider bore. at-its lower end. und `isincominunicstion withechsmber23 ofcom- I@ peratlvely lernev internal' crossssectlonnl aree et its upperend. Under ordinary-circumstances, the chamber 42? is open to the atmosphere. while thearm21 otwideboreisundertheactionof themsteriel that is being investigated.

annpucaimmmuudmgasourorum u result, the light thje liquid is partially reected therehy'and reiracted to the .dition ol' the tube by closing or opening a cirvztliove applies specifically' to equipment wherein 25. acollimatingkmsystemNendnmask 29. coact to produce a. narrow pencil o! light that longitudinally tmvemes the' :nanometer column 3 disposed in the capillary arm 19. II the level of the manometrlcliquld 3 is below thexpotthecapillaryarm 19. the surtaceBl. ol'- the liquid has appreciable curvature and, as

sides of the tube' r19. '.On the other hand, if `the upper level of the liquid 3 is above the 'top of the .gi Y capillary tube 19. it spreads over the receptacle?" 23 that is in with the capillary tube 19, and its surfece31 is substantially planar. In this case, the pencil ot light is neither-refrected nor totally reflected and passes through' the surface to impinge on e photofcell 34 disposed adjacent to the container 23.

The cathode 35 of thephoto'cell 34 is connected to the cathode 37 of a. grid-glow tube 39 while the anode 41 of the cell 34 isconnected -to the -grid 43 of the tube 39 directly, and to' the anode Y.

451 of the tube through an impedance 47. An

electromotive force is impressed between the n cathode 37 and the snode e5 of the vgrid-glow tube. 100

39 from the secondary 49 of a transformer 51 con# nested to e'soume ot supply of electrical energy.

vThe actuating coil-53 o! a. contractor 55 is dis' pose-d in the anode-eethodwircmt 57 of the gi-m-r 7:

glow tube 3 7v end responds to theeiectrical concult 59 which actuetes a. signalling device or 'acts on the materiel under observation to vproperly modify the property thereofthat is being observed.

When the level of the liquid 3 is below the top 0I the capillary tube 19, the photo-tcell-34 is in a comparatively state. and .the tube 39 s l is, consequently. in an, excited state. ,A heavy current traverses the coil 53. and the signalling, or lcontrol circuit 59 is open.

On the other hand, when the level ot the liquid 3 above the COD of the capillary tutele, the I .photo-electric cell 34 is in en ,excited state, and

the grid-glow tube 39 is in an unexcited state. 12s

The .signalling or control circuit 59 is then open. Y

The system illustrated in Pigs. 2, 3 and l ap plies to equipment wherein 'the msnoinetrlc liquid A is transparent. invention is also applicable to apparatus wherein 'en opaque-liquid. such as mercury. is used. The eements. of a system that I have found perticuluriy useful in this 1 connection are shown schemeticelly in Fig. 5.

- The apparatus in this ligure comprises e ccmperatively small source of light 61. the reys from which are converged to the reflecting surfacey 63 of the msno'metric liquid 65. The photo-electric cell 34 has a, comparatively large cathode in this esse and is diseased behind the source e1. whue l nshleld 67 is lntfrlfed betweenthe 6 1 9.34135 A thecell34. Thecmvntureoithemeniscusm ofthemenometriclimiiddeterminesthequml 'tif-v o: mennen the: impmees on me `pum- The appel-atm the: hns been describedhereinitisdceimmemmninremcmppertyoftnem I1. however. it isdrahle that the instantaneous los wudiuonoftbemsze-niwith reiereneetoaf4- properiybeimowmthe apparatus ismcdiiled to aeertainextent. Y Amodined-ndlaryhibethetlhaveloimd* useful for is the .n .i

owninFlm.

A f' In utiiizingfthis modiicetion ct my invention. .the remainder of them (91) carry current'awny Ously and lpecinlly. the crosssectional area. off May20. 1930, and tow H1. nw; its lower vend 69 is smaller than thecross-aectric and Manufacturing ompany.

ouently. the tranmnitted or reflected licht marieev i'Thephoto-electric celle 91 end-03 ere from, minimum ct the lowest lcvelof the liquid 1n parallel in such menne!- -that certain o! them to s. maximum et itehialiest level. (93) pase current to the grid 103 of the-tube while l s. grid-glow tube 3 9 is not used in the output cir- 4rfrom the grid 103.' v cuit ofthe photo-cell S4 but i: replaced by on One common terminal 105 of the cell circuit la j empliiier. such es is used in the aparatos 'shown connected toene terminal o! the secondary ci. the in 'power-circuit trensi'ormer 95. and the It is well to point out here that a. tube of vo'rycommon terminal 10713 connected to the grid or ing cross-sectional area is only one or a. number the tube. Acondenser 109 is connected between 99 A o! contriyances wherein a variation in the curvothe' grid 103 and the cathode 97 o! the'hlbo 101. ture of a'meniscus is attained. A similar eiect A meter 111, symboilzing any sienallingdevioe or l may be obtained by producing a tube having an any requisite mechanical device. is disposed in internal surface ot such character that the interthe plate circuit 113 of the tube 101.

facial tension between the liquid and the tube Itisseen that.Icraslight-predomincnceofthe 9# l verles. e. g., the manometric tube maybe surfaced state oi' excitation ot the photowells curi on the inside by a plurality oi' materiels or it may rent in one direction over the state of'cx'eltation I be compounded from a number o2 tubes or difof the photo-cells passing current in the opposite It is also to be noted for o semi-treneparent large variation in plate current of tue tube takes l@ liquidl the light transmitted along g manometrlc piece. The plate current. in passing through the i column .depends on the length of the column. signelling device 111. eilects the necessary rnoti.- This -particular mod liicetion is within the range vation ofthe equipment. 1 i o f equivelcnteof my invention. Although I have shown and described certain i Another modiication of my invention that ap specific embodiments o! my invention. I im 'fully 105 plies particularly to density determinations is aware that many mdiiicetion thereof are pos- The plate 75 partially obstructs the light reys that I claim as'my invention: y i 110 l' emanate from esource 79 on one sido thereof and 1. In epperatusior indicating chengesln the i @y determines the' state of excitation of a. piloti physical conditions oie. worin system. ntube havelectric cell 8l situated on the other side thereof. ing a plurality c1 different .cross-sections along i The extent to which the light from the sourceis its length. a liquid disposed in said tube, means i 40 obstructed depends on the vertical position of the cooperating with Visoid tube. seid liquid and said 115 plate 75 and, consequently. on the density of the work system to ectizate said liquid. to move loni l fluid 'I7 under inspection. -It is wen to-mention here that devices f or revariations in the conditions o! seid ystemthere- Y f necting -or refreshing the ngntrepiecing the by to vary thecurvetiue of the menircus ofeid @aque plate 75 on he md density balance" are liquid as the surface o! the liquid attains pociem within the scope of my invention., In making density determinations with my fmr Jectingo beam of redizmt enemyon the mwen.; ved System an of nd'nhotosnmtive m be in the output circuit o! the photo-cell 81. energize@ by the resultant mdimt *3mm mcfu so The device www shown in the mm ned by tnemeniecce einem liquid, to indicate 125 and des'clbed hereinabve applies' in particular, the position of thc surface of seid liquid and theV n l l i to quid ulds It may Ofcom. he um @plied variations in the conditions of seid system. to gaseous iuids. v mummy' Basu the. physical conditions of a work aystem. a colblsrehle ldnensirty of gum io han m aghi umn o! liquid. mesme cooperating with scid coli 130 i sneed by atgtycoxix' gongentrnotg'mcgsues rthatt um of liquid md Said Work mmm to m17 the curvature of the meuincus o1' seid liquid in uc iloat in the ses. It is obvious that. es fer es the cordan with the mmmtiomm ma @www application of my invention io concerned. its apof Said amt/3m means for pmjecung n mm at 00' pncation to gases is substantially the same 8.3 its rndlnntv energy on the meniecue ot 'seid liquid L13 gppnwm liquid" in such manner that the optic conrector of Hic It is m@ imei www mmm. t9 de medium maintiens modified oy com menigeen in tect man differences in height between a' plm varied in accordance with the curvature of uuid Y ity o tmanoinetric columna. Asyetem that I have menmws and mm to remand. to' the mi@ i g es ggg?! im@ useful in this meeuw 18 emitted by commencent to indicate uio-vomiio i 'le tionsintheconditionsofscidoyetcm. A mum@ 0f light 3 3 famed 1.11 mh 1f-11ml 3. In rncnometric appointee, o receptecic ecm.-

. that ite myx are cnet on o plurality of columns pricing e section of comparatively :smell intox-nid and 37 0f the 11G-'uid 3 in' 89- cm5sgecm011g1 am and g ectign 0 2 i i 7o The licht radiated from the source is partially circuit eucclilcoiiy described in d monding 7o cation ci' Ll?. Damon, Benni No.

`tous:munizioni,muisarm:om

to indicate the longitudinal position thereof. ,A v4. The methodo! in variations in the physical conditions of awork with appa., ratus of the type incorporating a manometric column of liquid which comprisesrthe steps of curvature o! the meniscus of said commu of liquid m accordance with the 7arm-- tions in the conditions of said system, projectinga. beam of. radiant energy ontlie meniscus of said liquid and noting the variations in the Qptical .charactestics of said beam after it has .saidsystenn 1 t I A. STYER nedbywamencwinsccondsnwnme in the ot -said meniscus 4and non of sam imma 'in 'said tube.

c. m apparat@ forlmdicaung changes in the physical conditions of a -Work system. a column of liquid, means cooperating with said column of liquid and said work System to vary the curvature ot the meniscus oiV said-liquid in .accordance .with "the variations in the' conditions o! said system,

ed by said menlscus is varied 1x1-accordance with the curvature of said meniscus and means to re- Ysponcl to the radiations reected by said menis'cus to indicate the variations in the conditions ot Vmeans to respond to the radiations emitted by said meniscus to indicate the POS1- .y u i Y' ILI 'zo' A 144s s i' so f 4- (n i l i x v 

